All meetings of the Wilkes County Board of Education will be open to representatives of the news media except closed sessions. Mechanical devices may be used during meetings to record, broadcast, or photograph board meetings if they do not interfere with the ability of the Board of Education to conduct its business.
The placement and use of any equipment necessary to broadcast, film, or record a meeting may be regulated by the Board of Education to prevent undue interference with the meeting but not in such a way as to frustrate the coverage of the meeting.
If a meeting room is too small to accommodate all of the personnel and equipment necessary to broadcast, film, or record a meeting, the Board of Education may require equipment to be pooled. If the news media requests an alternate meeting place in order to facilitate news coverage and the Board of Education grants the request, the news media making the request are responsible for paying any additional costs which may be involved in securing an alternate site. The Board of Education must act in good faith in carrying out these provisions.
If the Board of Education holds a meeting by conference telephone call or similar means, it will provide some means for members of the public to listen to the meeting. Notice of an electronic meeting must specify how public access will be provided. The Board of Education may charge each listener a fee of up to $25.00 to defray the costs.
Legal References: G.S. 143-318.11, -318.15, -318.16
Cross References: News Media Relations (policy 5040)
Adopted: January 9, 2006